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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Bedouin Town Plans to Expel Illegal Arabs |
| 2009-10-18 |
| The Bedouin town of Rahat in the Negev is suffering from a wave of Arabs who illegally entered Israel from areas of Yehudah (Judea) and Shomron (Samaria) that are under Arab control, and from Gaza. They have rented homes and stores and are primarily employed at trade and construction work. According to Arutz Sheva's Hebrew service, their reputation as a cheap work force tempted the local Arabs to let them into the town. The locals say, however, that the illegal migrants' presence has become a nuisance and is causing a spike in crime, including arms dealing and drug trade. There are about 2,000 illegal Arabs in Rahat, according to police estimates. Rahat elders and leaders are concerned that their very presence could damage the fabric of the Bedouin family unit. Rahat mayor Faez Abu-Sahiban (Islamic Movement) recently announced a “total war” against the illegals. “I have received reports from hundreds of young men and women complaining of harassment of the young women by the illegals,” he said. “This behavior contradicts our religion and tradition. We will not let those who want to trample our values stay in our town.” Abu-Sahiban announced that he intends to use a “heavy hand” together with the police and to kick out the migrants in two weeks' time. Anyone who cooperates with them would be an accomplice to a crime, he warned. [Editor's note: The very same complaints that the Bedouins have against the illegal Arabs are often made by Jews against Bedouins and other Arab citizens of Israel, but calls to expel the Arabs from Jewish towns are condemned by Arab spokesmen and certain political groups as "racism" and "incitement to violence."] |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #2 When Abu-Sahiban gets finished over there, can he come do the same thing to illegals here? |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2009-10-18 21:50 |
| #1 An honest headline would be, Israeli Arab Town Plans to Expel Illegal Palestinians |
| Posted by: phil_b 2009-10-18 21:25 |